Shots for DR?

[lizzy0001]

I am traveling to Santo Domingo next week and was wondering if I need to get any shots for travel there.

[CurlyTop]

As far as I know, the shots that are recommened are Hepatitis A & B.
Hep A (water, food & food preparation) has to be 10-14 days before travel.
Hep B (bodily fluid transmission) has to be at least 6 weeks as you need 2 doses.
There is also one for travellers diarrhea which also requires 2 doses.
Tetanus should be up to date as well.

Having said all that - I have travelled to the DR several times without shots and have not had a problem.

[Hillbilly]

You don't need anything.

That's 42 years talkin' to you...

Now shots, like whiskey, rum or vodka...heck, all them's real good for you..

HB Just stay out of the boonies and conduct safe sex, and you'll be fine.

[CurlyTop]

Hillbilly,
I like your style - your reply was much better than mine.
CurlyTop

[Jimmydr]

I just got a Polio shot last year. There were a few reported cases.

[lizzy0001]

CurlyTop/Hillbilly, thanks for the advice...and yes, HB, I will def be doing the "good" shots while I'm there and plenty o' them...!!!

Lizzy0001

[Lechero]

HEP A and B shots are a very good idea.
They are covered by most insurance plans in the U.S. and are administered in a series of 3. Even if they are not covered, well worth the investment.

[ricktoronto]

Originally Posted by CurlyTop

As far as I know, the shots that are recommened are Hepatitis A & B.
Hep A (water, food & food preparation) has to be 10-14 days before travel.
Hep B (bodily fluid transmission) has to be at least 6 weeks as you need 2 doses.
There is also one for travellers diarrhea which also requires 2 doses.
Tetanus should be up to date as well.

Having said all that - I have travelled to the DR several times without shots and have not had a problem.

Hepatitis B is a 6 month regimen with three vaccinations - one at once, another a month later and a final one 5 months after that (0,1,6 regimen) . If you are at risk some of the dosages are better than none but the 3 confer the expected immunity not two. Twinrix vaccine is available for A and B combined. Leaving immediately you can get , for A (the seage related kind) immune globulin for about 6 months protection that works nearly immediately.

The Dukoral oral cholera/TD (E Coli) vaccine is two doses a week apart with the second at least a week before you arrive, and then one dose every 90 days after that unless you want to stop then do the two doses at once regimen again.

Normal childhood vaccines that are probably out of date in adults should be up to date notably diptheria and polio as well.

The risks are low but not having caught anything thus far is not a really good reason to not hae them given the dire outcomes, especially B.